Eva: an Italian graded reader at level A1

Glossary

amante · lover ((sin. compagna, innamorata))

La persona che si ama, fuori dal matrimonio.

The person one loves, outside marriage.

A delicate word, and the book uses it without shame: Eva is Enrico's lover, then the count's. In the 1800s a woman like that is outside «respectable» society, and Verga writes the book precisely to ask: who is more honest, her or the society?

applauso · applause ((sin. battimani, ovazione))

Il rumore delle mani del pubblico, quando lo spettacolo piace.

The sound of the audience's hands when they like the show.

Applause is Eva's bread: «you feel that you're beautiful», she says. But it's also Enrico's poison, because every clap is a thousand men wanting his woman. In this book applause is never innocent.

bacio · kiss ((sin. effusione, carezza con le labbra))

Toccare con le labbra una persona, per amore.

Touching a person with the lips, out of love.

The first kiss in the book Eva gives like this: she comes in, takes Enrico's head in her hands, and says «Here's your tea». The last kiss Enrico gives, in front of everyone, for a bet: and that one costs blood. Between the two kisses lies the whole story.

ballerina · ballerina ((sin. danzatrice, artista di teatro))

La donna che balla sul palco del teatro, per il pubblico.

A woman who dances on stage, for the audience.

Eva isn't just a woman who dances: it's a profession, a world, a condition. A ballerina in the 1800s lives on the public and on rich gentlemen: and society looks down on her. Eva knows it, says it, and isn't ashamed. She's the most honest person in the book.

carrozza · carriage ((sin. vettura, cocchio))

La macchina dell'Ottocento: una cabina con le ruote, tirata dai cavalli.

A cabin on wheels, pulled by horses.

The carriage is the book's thermometer. Eva in a carriage is far away and untouchable; Eva stepping out of a carriage to walk in the snow is close and real. And the last carriage (the one at the duel) carries everything away.

cavalletto · easel ((sin. sostegno, treppiede))

Il supporto di legno che tiene il quadro mentre il pittore dipinge.

The wooden stand that holds the canvas while the painter works.

The easel is a painter's most precious tool, the thing that lets him work. Enrico breaks it and burns it to keep Eva warm on the first night. It's the most beautiful gesture in the book, and the first warning: for this woman, Enrico will burn everything.

The glossary contains 21 entries in all